Words / B1

ik-SPAND/ɪkˈspænd/

Expand means become larger in size, number, or importance. A company expands; a city expands; you expand your vocabulary. Extend often means make something longer in time or length (extend a visa). Increase is mainly for numbers. Expansion is the noun.

Meaning

To become larger in size, number, or importance.

Examples

• “The company plans to expand next year.”
• “The university wants to expand its science department.”
• “You can expand this paragraph with an example.”

Good to know

expand a business / your knowledge. Time/length: extend. Noun: expansion.

Near in meaning

grow

New